Los Luceros!

Your Pregnancy at 30 Weeks

Your baby's about 15.7 inches long now, and she weighs almost 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage). A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds her, but that volume will decrease as she gets bigger and takes up more room in your uterus. Her eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after she's born, she'll keep her eyes closed for a good part of the day. When she does open them, she'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means she can only make out objects a few inches from her face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20.)

"Your Pregnancy - 29 Weeks"

Your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. Her muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and her head is growing bigger to make room for her developing brain. To meet his increasing nutritional demands, you'll need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. And because her bones are soaking up lots of calcium, be sure to drink your milk (or find another good source of calcium, such as cheese, yogurt, or enriched orange juice). This trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in your baby's hardening skeleton each day.

Meet "Baby Elisabeth"

Meet "Baby Elisabeth."   She is the doll my sweet Grandma gave me when my little sister, Elisabeth, was born in August 1976.    My mom had a  real "Baby Elisabeth," and I had my own doll version of the new baby that came to live with us.

Since that time, I've always wanted a baby girl.  Well, except for a few years when I got old enough to realize that having a baby would HURT.   And then I was completely opposed to having any children whatsoever.  But obviously, I changed my mind over time. :)

My Baby Elisabeth doll has lots of wear and tear (she is, after all, over 35 years old now!), but I've always held onto her and known exactly where she is among my other belongings.  Since becoming pregnant, we've kept her out for Christian to see in preparation for Lil' Biscotti's arrival.  

Its been a few months since I brought the doll out, so she's just a background image to him now ... he doesn't even notice her.  But every time I see her, I am reminded of the sweet dream come true that will arrive in our lives in January who will join our sweet dream, Christian, who arrived nearly four years ago!

Christian's Baby

Did you know Christian has a baby in his tummy, too?  Well, he does!    He likes to lay down, lift up his shirt, puff out his stomach and say, "Feel MY baby!"

So I put my hand on his tummy and he sucks his tummy in and then hesitates and pushes it back out again really quickly.

It is just so cute that I don't have the heart to tell him there isn't a baby in HIS tummy.  

I love that lil' guy!

"Your Pregnancy - 28 Weeks"

I had my regularly-scheduled doctor's appointment today.   All is well.  My stomach measured "perfectly," blood pressure was fine, etc.  

All systems still normal!

I had to take the routine "glucose screening test" that tests for gestational diabetes.  I hope it comes back okay, because if there is anything questionable about the results, I'll have to take the brutal three hour "glucose challenge test" which involves fasting, drinking a larger portion of glucose, and sitting at a lab for three hours while my blood is drawn four times during that time frame.  Had to take that test with Christian and it is no fun.

So we'll pray and think happy thoughts and hope that all will be will with today's test.

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By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of her head to her heels. She can blink her eyes, which now sport lashes. With her eyesight developing, she may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. She's also developing billions of neurons in her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

"Your Pregnancy - 27 Weeks"

This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended. She's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and perhaps even sucking her fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if she were to be born now. Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother her, so just relax and enjoy the tickle.

Three Months ... 90 Days

I'm pretty sure the c-section will take place on January 6, which is just three short months away.   Or 90+ days. WOW!

Lately, I've been thinking about just what it will be like to be the mom of two little kiddos.  How will Christian react to a new baby?  What am I going to do about my job (big decision needed)?  Will I ever have a clean house?  Ha ha!

I have been told that the transition to two children is shocking.   I was warned that there is never "downtime" in a house with two children (geeze, imagine households with three or MORE kiddos.  Hello, Jon and Kate, Plus 8).  I look at how things are now:  Christian still goes down for a nap every afternoon (thought, he doesn't always take one, but he stays in his room and reads or entertains himself otherwise).  He goes down for bed at 8:00pm every night.    Relatively speaking, I get a fair amount of "downtime."   That'll all change when Lil' Biscotti arrives.

I also wonder a lot about how this little girl will be different from Christian.  He has always been a laid back, go-with-the-flow kind of kiddo.   He was on a good sleeping schedule very early on.    He didn't walk until about 21 months, so he was very much a "baby" for an extended period of time.  In fact, I still look at him and his baby-like face and think of him as a baby.    I know I'll be amazed at just how big he is once I see Lil' Biscotti next to him.

In essence, Christian is a lot like his Papa.   And the times he's feisty, well ... then he's just like his mommy! :)

So, what personality will Lil' Biscotti have?   I'm eager to find out!  And I'm already nervous about the drama ... because girls are filled with drama (I know this fact from being a girl, myself).

I'm sure I'm destined to have a dramatic and feisty girl.   It's karma.  And my mother will probably just sit back and laugh to herself ... and feel a bit of redemption. :)

A Sunday Stroll

Jonathan shot this picture while Christian and I were out on a walk yesterday.  Yes, yes, I I know I said I wouldn't be showing any photos.  Guess I lied,

See my belly?  Now, imagine me three months from now when I have a full-term baby inside.  And this is how a short, 5' 3" pregnant woman looks at six months.

Gotta check with the doctor next time to make SURE I'm not having twins.  Okay, I KNOW I'm not having twins, but I sure do look like I could be!

"Your Pregnancy - 26 Weeks"

The network of nerves in your baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. He may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you chat with each other. He's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when he's born and takes that first gulp of air. And he's continuing to put on baby fat. He now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber) from head to heel.